Local rodent information

Rodent control in Florida

Learn what to look for around your property, explore your city, and ask about an inspection or a quote.

Rodents in Florida: what to know

Around Florida

Conditions vary across the state. Choose your city below, then describe what’s happening around your home or business.

What to note

Where you see rodents, how long it has been going on, and anything you’ve already tried are the most useful details to mention.

A useful next step

Ask about an inspection, what treatment would involve, and whether follow-up visits are included. You don’t need to identify the problem yourself before getting in touch.

Local research

Rodents in Florida: what the public record shows

Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which rodents actually live in Florida, when they are busiest, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.

House mouse, roof rat (fruit rat) and Norway rat (sewer rat)

Rodent species the health department tracks

The roof rat is the climbing, attic-and-tree species that dominates Florida structural work.

Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County

Up to 8 litters a year, 6 to 8 young each, sexually active at 2-3 months

Roof rat reproduction

An attic population rebuilds within a season if entry points stay open.

Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County

The size of a quarter

Hole size a roof rat needs

Seal with heavy-gauge steel wool, galvanized metal or steel mesh.

Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County

Rodent species recorded in Florida

House mouse (Mus musculus) — Enters at 1/4 inch; 5-10 litters per year; eats about 200 small meals a night.
Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) — Burrowing rat of basements, sewers and ground floors; tail shorter than head plus body.
Roof rat (Rattus rattus) — Climber of attics and trees in warm and coastal regions; tail longer than head plus body.

When rodents are busiest in Florida

Roof rats stay active in attics and fruit trees year-round in Florida's climate.

Florida DOH guidance: store food and feed in metal or heavy plastic containers and keep stored material at least 12 inches off the ground.

For context, nationally

1/4 inch (the width of a pencil) — Smallest gap a mouse can enter. CDC
890; 35% fatal; 94% west of the Mississippi — Hantavirus cases reported since 1993 (through 2023). CDC

Sources: Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County; CDC; Pest Notes: House Mouse; Pest Notes: Rats. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources

Explore Florida cities

Boca Raton

Tropical · suburban setting

Rodent control in Florida

Rodents in Florida: what to know

Around Florida

What to note

A useful next step

Rodents in Florida: what the public record shows

Rodent species recorded in Florida

When rodents are busiest in Florida

For context, nationally

Explore Florida cities

Boca Raton

Cape Coral

Clearwater

Coral Gables

Coral Springs

Davie

Fort Lauderdale

Gainesville

Hialeah

Hollywood

Jacksonville

Kissimmee

Lakeland

Melbourne

Miami

Miami Gardens

Miramar

Orlando

Palm Bay

Pembroke Pines

Pompano Beach

Port St. Lucie

St. Petersburg

Tallahassee

Tampa

West Palm Beach

Ocala

Sarasota

Ask about rodent control in Florida